The Will of God Revealed

"Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:" Ephesians 1:9

The will of God has been revealed to us, through Scripture and through the blood of Christ. All of these "self-help" books on knowing the will of God are a waste of money, because there is only ONE book necessary in order to know the will of God, and that is God's Word. God's Word is very much alive, just as living water, and can still very much speak to anyone that comes to it's pages seeking, searching.

I fear that too many of us, including those of us in Christian circles, have lost sight of this one simple fact: that the Bible is not just a book, it's the holy and active breath of God. When we spend time in the Word, we are meeting with our holy and active God, and He is speaking to us through His Word. Prayer and the reading of Scripture are the two ways in which we talk to God on this earth, but the Word of God in Scripture trumps all, because prayer revelation will never lead someone apart from God's Word. Our God is not one of contradiction, that is plainly seen. Therefore, He will never lead someone in contradiction to His nature and His Word.

His Word has told us that He has already revealed the mystery of His will unto us. 

What is that will?

It is very simple, and consists of three things:

#1 - Salvation

^"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"

Our magnificent and holy God, in His unfathomable foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:2), saw us in Christ before the foundations of the world, and in such predestined us to an inheritance in Christ before we were even a "twinkle in our father's eye." God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Not only that, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Thus, the first and foremost part of the will of God is that we find salvation in Christ, that we may be gathered unto Him and obtain our inheritance in Him.

"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
 
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Ephesians 2:11-22

#2 - Sanctification

^"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
 
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
 
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Ephesians 3:2-7, 4:1-7

^{The second part of God's Will for us is our own Christian growth and sanctification. Specifically humility, patience, love, and peace among believers. It has been said that our life on earth serves to prepare us for eternity, and sanctification is the process by which we grow in wisdom, compassion, and understanding in the Lord, that we may serve Him and testify for Him, that souls might be saved (remember, the first part of the will of God is salvation!).} 

^{"Rejoice evermore.}
 
Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.

Despise not prophesyings.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

#3 - Glory to God

 "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." Ephesians 1:12

The culmination of  the will of God is that glory would be brought to Him. ALL things in this world exist for one reason, and that is to bring glory to God in the highest.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts." Psalm 96:8

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

In all things, God would have us bring glory to Him. That is God's will for His redeemed, and for all of creation. That is our purpose for living, our purpose for breathing, to bring glory to God. In order to do so, we must first receive the salvation of the Lord by the shed blood of Christ, the final blood atonement for sin, and we must walk and grow in His Word that we may be able to serve Him on earth.

This, this is the will of God, in all things. No mystic feelings/dreams/divination, just the simple and pure will of God.

In small matters even, this is applicable.

• Are you saved? This is ALWAYS first and foremost!
• Does this grow you in Christ, or does it sanctify you to Him, and does it enable you to give thanks unto the Lord?
• Finally, does this bring glory to God? Or does it, rather, work to bring glory to myself and honor to my own wishes? Do we want it for God's sake, or for our own?

 Do you know what I have come to realize? God WANTS to give good things to His children! He WANTS to bless us! However, like any good father, sometimes He just has to help us get where we need to be before He will give us what we ask for.

The will of God is plain. We must only seek first to live that will, then the rest will fall into place.

God is faithful! That is a promise.

“It is the most ungodly and dangerous business to abandon the certain and revealed will of God in order to search into the hidden mysteries of God”

–Martin Luther